It has already been a week for Florentino Pérez.
A battered and bruised ego following the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony is starting to heal in time for Christmas. After one of their superstars, Vinicius Junior, won the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year awardReal Madrid were crowned world champions for the ninth time in Qatar and could still end the calendar year at the top of the La Liga table.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been far from perfect this term, but there are signs of Madrid’s star-studded attack clicking in time for the new year.
Madrid has welcomed Kylian Mbappé back into the fold Final triumph of the Intercontinental Cupbut Ancelotti will have to reorganize more for the visit of Sevilla on Sunday. Here’s how Madrid they could line up for their last meeting in 2024.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – The Belgian has been a busy boy this term in the wake of Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities, and he had to work for his goal in Doha on Wednesday. It’s a shoo-in between the posts.
RB: Lucas Vázquez – Ancelotti leaned on the veteran after Dani Carvajal succumbed to an ACL tear. Madrid do not have many options at right-back, although Raul Asencio can be used there in the second half of the season.
CB: Aurelien Tchouameni – Dare I say it, Tchouameni has looked more comfortable at the heart of Madrid’s defense compared to the base of their midfield.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – A prop last season and nothing has changed this term. The German is a key presence in Madrid’s defence, and will offer his left-back plenty of support against Sevilla’s top scorer, Dodi Lukebakio.
LB: Fran Garcia – Ferland Mendy could return to the matchday squad on Sunday, but Ancelotti will likely stick with Garca in his XI and hand Mendy minutes off the bench.
CM: Edward Camavinga – Camavinga has returned from injury and has a big role in Madrid’s midfield during the second half of the season. He should keep his place in the side from Wednesday.
CM: Federico Valverde – The Uruguayan hasn’t had the best of seasons, but he remains an instrumental figure in the engine room. Ancelotti recently confirmed that Valverde will not be used at right-back, so he will operate from a central midfield position on Sunday while providing support for Vázquez.
CM: Jude Bellingham – The England international endured a fairly quiet start to the season but has caught fire over the last month or so. BellinghamThe streak ended on Wednesday.
RW: Arda Guler – Vinicius Junior’s suspension opens the door for Guler to win a rare start. Brahim Diaz has shared the Turkish star’s minutes this season, but Guler could get the nod here after registering a pair of assists during the A controversial 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano last weekend.
ST: Kylian Mbappe РThe Frenchman quickly recovered from a muscle injury and was on the scoresheet against Pachuca. Mbapp̩ has been accurate in recent appearances, and will look to finish the year with a bang.
LW: Rodrygo – Rodrygo often reaches another level in the absence of Vini Jr. He was the star for Madrid this time last year while his compatriot was out injured, and much of his good work came while operating on the left.
